Asian Games cricket: Japan says teams can arrange own accommodation as venue prep from scratch nears completion

Venue built from scratch in 17 months

Cricket is set to be one of the biggest sports at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, with organisers working against a tight 17-month preparation window to deliver facilities for some of Asia's leading cricket teams, as reported by India Today. Japan Cricket Association (JCA) CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji said organisers had effectively started from scratch because there were no cricket venues of an appropriate standard in Aichi Prefecture when preparations began. "The playing surface and field will be the best seen in cricket's inclusion in the AGs," Miyaji told India Today, while acknowledging the constraints faced by the organisers.

The Asian Games are being organised by the Aichi-Nagoya Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) in collaboration with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), as reported by both India Today and The Times of India. The JCA has provided support in several areas but is not directly responsible for organising the cricket competition. According to Miyaji, AINAGOC and the ACC have worked closely to make the most of the limited time and resources available.

Facilities and pitches at Korogi Sports Park

The cricket venue at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin will feature a full-size ground with turf and hybrid pitches. Experienced curators have been brought in to prepare the playing surface, with Sri Lanka Cricket also credited with providing curatorial expertise.

"There are limits on what they can do within these tight limits," Miyaji said, adding that the facilities have nevertheless been developed with the aim of providing players and officials with as comfortable an environment as possible, as reported by India Today.

The venue will have a combination of temporary and permanent facilities. While facilities immediately around the ground will be temporary, AINAGOC has worked closely with the ACC for more than a year to determine what can be delivered within the venue's restrictions and the short preparation period. Miyaji also clarified that toilets will be available within the player areas, while permanent facilities surrounding the ground will also be accessible to players, according to India Today.

Accommodation concerns addressed

At a recent Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, leading cricketing nations reportedly raised concerns over the accommodation arrangements, with the designated hotel located around 20km from the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture, where the cricket matches will be held, as reported by The Times of India. The Asian Games begin on September 17.

Miyaji stressed that the JCA is playing a limited role in the event's organisation. "The Asian Games is being organised by the organising committee Aichi-Nagoya Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) in collaboration with the ACC under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)," Miyaji told PTI. "The JCA has provided support in some areas but is not directly involved so I am not able to directly answer all of your questions. What I can say is that all parties are working hard to ensure the success of Cricket in the Asian Games. I can also assure you that the ACC have been discussing accommodation options with AINAGOC for a long time. The participating teams in cricket are being offered hotel accommodation," he said.

Other sports facing tighter constraints

Miyaji also pointed out that cricket is not the only sport facing logistical constraints at the Games. "Many other sports are being accommodated in much more limited facilities such as a cruise ship or container hotels. The teams are free to arrange their own accommodation if they chose to do so," he said, as reported by The Times of India.

Grassroots outreach and community support

Miyaji, speaking about the JCA's efforts to build local interest in the sport, said the association has taken cricket to schools and shopping centres across the area, where the response has been highly enthusiastic, as reported by India Today. The JCA is also relying on the support of Nisshin City, with Miyaji expressing confidence that the local community will strongly back the Asian Games.

Miyaji said the JCA has considerable experience organising international cricket matches and tournaments in Japan. He said cricket would be among the largest sports at the Games and highlighted the significance of having the top cricket teams from Asia competing in Japan for the first time, as reported by India Today.